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August 16th, 2011 21:00
Dell Power Edge 2900 Server Add SAS HDD and How to Join the Existing RAID 1 Config with 2 146G SAS HDD
We have a Dell PowerEdge server 2900 with 2 SAS 146G 15K HDD config with hardware RAID 1.
If we were to add SAS HDD drives ( assume 2 SAS HDDs ) and want to join the existing RAID 1, how to do it and any requirement ?
Can we use bigger capacity of same type of HDD or must use the same capacity and type of HDD?
If cannot join the RAID 1 configuration, the newly added HDD can it be set to D drive?
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theflash1932
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16.3K Posts
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August 16th, 2011 23:00
No, the PERC controllers can reconfigure arrays (for example a two-disk RAID 1 to a four-disk RAID 5), ON THE FLY, without so much as even rebooting the machine ... the data stays completely intact and accessible.
Alternatively, if you have available slots in the server, you can add the drives and configure a second RAID 1 ... the PERC's can support up to 64 virtual disks (arrays).
PERC's in a 2900 can take a mix of SAS and/or SATA drives (as long as they are not in the same array), so you can fill the additional slots with SAS drives if that is your plan. Also, PERC's in a 2900 can take any size drive up to 2TB.
Smac123
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August 16th, 2011 22:00
Hi theflash1932 :
Many Thanks for your reply!
OK..I got what you mean that RAID 1 only two HDDs possible and so the added 2 HDDs cannot join as RAID 1. Thanks!
Your firest option seems impossible because it will destroy the existing data or files in the existing 2 RAID 1 drives, right? We want to keep the data and files in these 2 existing drives so it is impossible if it will destroy the existing data and files.
As for the second options, is it the only way that can use the Windows RAID 1 because the Hardware RAID already occupied by existing RAID 1?
May I know if implement the Windows RAID 1 in Server 2003, where to start the initiliazation for installation?
theflash1932
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16.3K Posts
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August 16th, 2011 22:00
Not sure if I understood your question. RAID 1 can only have two drives, or it is not a RAID 1. If you want to add two more drives, you have two options:
1. Reconfigure your two-disk RAID 1 to a four-disk RAID 5, OR
2. Add the two drives in a separate RAID 1 ... in Windows, you could make that your D: drive.
Smac123
4 Posts
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August 16th, 2011 23:00
Hi theflash1932 :
Thanks to all of your answers and they are fixed to my questions. If there is any new question, I will raise it as new post.
Many thanks!
Smac123
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August 16th, 2011 23:00
Hi theflash1932 and anyone out there may help :
Another similar question hope you can help :
Just to confirm that there are total 8 slots of drive trays and we occupied two trays with 2 SAS HDD drives, are the rest of spare 6 HDD trays ( from tray 2 to 7 ) can use the SAS HDD?
Any maximum capacity of the HDD that the server can take? Is 500G SAS 15K HDD can be used for the rest of spare trays?
thanks!